Song of the Split Elm

Set in 1853 on the Penobscot reservation, the story revolves around Madeline, a girl whose enchanting voice and spirit clash with her father's strict Calvinist beliefs. While her mother, Hannah, finds solace in Madeline's melodies and teaches her the art of basket weaving, Jeremiah fears that her singing invites darkness. His desperate prayers for her silence or departure highlight the tension between faith, creativity, and the struggle for acceptance within a family divided by differing beliefs and traditions.